Where are you from?
I'm a KIWI - Yeah, New Zealand!! Currently in Auckland, however I'm a SOUTHERN MAN and southern bred!

Where did you grow up?
When? During my childhood I spent time shifting around the south island of New Zealand, as well as a number of years in Papua New Guinea. I went to Dunedin to study at Otago University, and then spent time again in PNG, and Malaysia.

What are your pastimes and interests?
I run a resource based web site (knowledgebase.studiowhiz.com) and spend time developing www.studiowhiz.com allowing me to play with Flash & Web concepts before putting them into the "real" world.
Off the computer, I spend time watching movies, walking, making teddy bears and chilling out with my wife and dreaming of the future.

What's your favorite saying or cliché?
BUGGER (thanks to Toyota)

What's your favorite movie?
Hmmm so many to choose from, any movie with GREAT 3D animation, and a good plot.

What's your favorite cocktail?
SPEIGHTS…..oh sorry that's a beer

When did you first get involved with flash?
1996 when it was called Future Splash, I saw these cool animations and thought…I GOTTA KNOW THIS. So I've been playing with it ever since….still feel like I know so little about it.

What is your view of the current use of flash?
I think it is totally underused. It is an incredibly powerful tool, and only a small percentage of people are using its power. Sure we see people programming cool mouse effects and "screen savers" but true database integration is still largely untouched. I think many people still see flash as a GIMIC, not a true Web Development solution. I also think that many young designers are thinking that web sites are either HTML or FLASH, but I think the future is a combination of well-integrated Flash & HTML (along with scripting languages etc)

Who do you feel is advancing the use of flash the most?
Hmm that's a hard one, there are so many people pushing the graphical limits of flash, Den, Josh, etc. I think FlashKit is advancing flash as the shared community is helping new designers build on what others have done. There is always a new improved version of someone's code being uploaded.

Who has been your greatest inspiration?
God is! I tend to turn to nature for ideas, nature, and then architecture, and of course places like Praystation, eStudio, and FlashKit.

Where do you see the future of flash?
Everywhere, with PDA's and now PS2 having flash ability, mobile phones will follow and then watches and iTV. Flash will become THE tool in the developer's basket. Easier database integration, 3D engines, 4 or 6-channel audio, and VR ability, I wouldn't be surprised if these are in Flash 7 or 8.

What advice would you give to budding flashers?
Don't copy. Practice, practice, practice. Oh and have fun, you should enjoy doing what you do, play with it, have fun, laugh at your work (mates). Don't Flash for Flashes sake, but explore how you can push your limits and improve your site (or reach your audience) via flash.

What can FK01 attendees expect from you?
Nothing….he he ha ha. Seriously, I would hope that they can gain an appreciation for a topic most designers hate - Usability. It's not really that scary, and it can be liberating in that it provides the box for you to think outside of.

Any closing words?
Come to FK01, it's going to ROCK.

If you would like further information on speaking opportunities please contact: Mark Fennell(webmaster@flashkit.com). We have conferences planned in LA, Sydney, and Europe and Asia as well, so let us know your interest!